23 years ago today, Sony launched the first game in Europe for the EyeToy accessory of the PlayStation 2 console, i.e. a collection of mini-games called EyeToy: Play.
One of the many accessories for the PlayStation 2 console was EyeToy cameralaunched in 2003. At that time, the world had not yet met the Nintendo Wii console and the concept of controlling games using movements was innovative. Especially when EyeToy promised to place the player himself in a virtual environment – head and chin.
Almost 30 games were launched for EyeToy during the life cycle of the PS2 console. The first of them was EyeToy: Play and it went on sale on this day in 2003.
EyeToy Play was essentially a collection of 12 mini-games with different themes. In the Kung Foo mini-game, the player had to use his hands to fend off the little ninjas that jumped towards him. In Wishi Washi, we had to “wipe” the window with quick hand movements. In Boxing Chump we boxed against a robot monkey, and in Soccer Craze we had to head the ball and keep it in the air as long as possible.
EyeToy Play proved to be a good party game because it was easy to play and provided short-term entertainment. That popularity was also reflected in sales, and already a year later the game was bought more than four million players. In the same year, a sequel followed with 12 new mini-games.